Ah the age old debate, should I use a mass gainer or stick to whey protein if I’m a skinny guy trying to bulk up? (OK, so maybe it’s not quite an age-old debate, but we’d argue it’s one worth having!). Both products are commonly used to put on muscle and mass, and they have many similarities and also a few differences.
If you made it to this page, I’m assuming you are a skinny guy (or girl!) who is trying to decide which product fits their needs the best. We are going to go over the pros and cons of each supplement, and help you to make an informed decision to meet your fitness goals.
Quick summary:
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You’ll need to gain a better understanding of what each of these products do before you can confidently choose one for your regimen, but if you are looking for a quick and dirty summary you know we can provide that too!
The main difference between a mass gainer and whey protein is that the whey protein is basically just protein with little to no added ingredients, while a mass gainer also contains protein plus carbohydrates and fats to provide more calories.
A mass gainer is preferable for skinny guys who want to gain weight as fast as possible, even with the caveat that it may come with some extra fat. Whey protein is better for those who want to gain muscle and bulk over a longer period of time while also gaining less fat and staying leaner.
This decision can be important for your overall fitness goals, so don’t go making a rash decision before learning the ins and outs of each product. This will help ensure that you are using the right supplement to help you achieve the body you want!
What is Mass Gainer?
Mass gainer, also commonly known as a weight gainer, is a speciality protein powder that is also high in carbohydrates and macronutrients that provides more calories than whey protein alone. They are quite popular among people who have a hard time gaining and keeping weight on, colloquially referred to as hardgainers.
A mass gainer is what you want to take if you are trying to not only gain muscle but also bulk, and to do it quickly. It is an easy way to consume more calories in your day while also providing a large amount of protein.
If you are looking to put on mass, you will need to be in a caloric surplus. Simply put you need to be consuming more calories than you are burning off during the day. A mass gainer can be a convenient way to achieve a caloric surplus while also providing other nutrients.
What is Whey Protein?
Whey is a product of the dairy production process and is used as an easy way to get more high quality protein into your diet without having to eat pounds of high protein foods. Each serving of whey protein usually contains between 25 to 30 grams of protein and people commonly take them in the morning, at night or after a workout.
In studies, whey has been found to increase the body’s ability to repair muscle tissue damage after a workout and has also been shown to promote muscle mass gains and improve muscle strength.
Mass Gainer Benefits for Skinny Guys
Mass gainers are great at increasing the amount of protein AND calories that you consume throughout the day.
Consuming more protein and more calories than you burn throughout the day will eventually lead to more muscle mass and overall bulk (as long as you continue working out, of course). If not all of those extra calories will be turned into fat.
Hey, that could be some extra motivation to stick to your fitness goals while you are using a weight gainer!
Increase in Calories
The main benefit you will be looking for if you are taking a weight gainer is the increase in calories to your diet, oftentimes through the high number of carbohydrates within the product.
Most mass gainers provide anywhere between 500 – 700 calories in each serving, which is around the amount of calories in a big mac!
Convenience
Bulking can be a difficult process, and one that is made even harder if you naturally have a high metabolism. You could be forced to basically eat massive amounts of food every day just to hit your caloric goals.
Many people find that eating large quantities of food to meet their calorie goals can be annoying to track and measure, time consuming to make and quite uncomfortable to ingest.
Mass gainers can be a convenient way to get more calories into your daily diet, as you can simply blend up a shake instead of cooking and consuming a new meal. One or two high calorie servings could be all you need to get into a caloric surplus.
Weight gainers can also be used as a meal replacement in a pinch, although it is not advisable to make this a habit as they don’t contain all of the nutrients your body needs. Stick to whole foods when you can, but supplement when necessary!
Increase in Protein Intake
Just like a whey protein powder, weight gainers also provide a heaping helping of protein in each serving. Most mass gainers and whey protein powders provide about the same amount of protein, ranging from 50 to 60 grams a serving.
You’re going to need this protein if you are planning on putting on pounds of muscle. Most sources recommended eating 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of bodyweight, depending on your goals of course.
This protein component is essential, as without it you would probably just be putting on fat with all the excess calories present within the formula.
Macronutrient Balance for Energy while training
Most mass gainers provide a rich array of macronutrients, with high quality carbohydrates, protein and also some healthy fats. While the amount and variety of the nutrients isn’t comparable to whole food, it is still more than you would get from whey protein alone.
The carbohydrates found in mass gainers are the body’s preferred source of energy. Carbohydrates are converted to glucose very quickly after they are ingested, making them a very efficient energy source.
Mass Gainer Cons
Not everything is sunny out in mass gainer land though, there are a few drawbacks to consider.
Digestive Issues
The main one we hear of are issues related to digestion and bloating due to the high calorie count in mass gainers. Your body probably isn’t used to digesting so many simple carbohydrates at one time, and there might be an adjustment period for your stomach.
Undesirable Weight Gain
Another common (and slightly obvious) side effect of mass gainers is excessive weight gain. If you aren’t exercising while supplementing with a mass gainer you will quickly gain fat throughout your body.
Additionally, many mass gainers contain a large amount of sugar which is introduced as a way to create a cheaper product. While sugar does provide calories, they are not high quality calories and can lead to other problems such as sugar spikes.
That is why it is imperative that you get a high quality mass gainer that provides a good mix of carbohydrates and fats.
Whey Protein Benefits for Skinny Guys
Whey protein is a product you will find in almost any athlete or bodybuilder’s arsenal. Simply put, muscles need protein to grow and whey provides that protein to fuel growth. If you aren’t getting enough protein from your diet, whey protein can be an easy to use and effective addition.
High Quality Protein
Whey is a complete, high quality protein, which means that it contains all of the essential amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and while your body produces many amino acids there are some it cannot create and they must be obtained from a food source.
Whey protein provides all nine of these amino acids to assist your body in building muscle.
Variety of Flavors
Whey protein started to get very popular in the 1970s and 80s, so manufacturers have had plenty of time to come up with nearly every flavor imaginable. From the classic vanilla and chocolate flavors to the more unique flavors like birthday cake, orange dreamsicle or even root beer float, there is something for everyone.
Mass gainers aren’t quite as popular as whey protein so the flavor profiles aren’t quite as varied. Honestly I never quite understood all the flavors, just drink the dang thing and get on with it!
Easily Digestible
Whey protein is more easily digested than milk, as the long protein chains within the product (called peptides) have been broken down into shorter chains.
If you do find yourself having trouble digesting whey, there is also whey protein isolate which contains lower level of lactose than normal, or there is even protein made from goat and sheep milk!
Whey Protein Cons
The main con of whey protein is the presence of lactose, which could cause some digestive issues in sensitive individuals. As stated above, there are options that help curb this issue like using whey protein isolate instead or a different type of protein just as goats milk or a plant based protein.
Whey protein can also cause weight gain if you are not burning enough calories. The casein in protein can also cause issues for some individuals that are similar to a gluten intolerance, as casein is a very similar to gluten at a molecular level.
Overall though, whey protein is very safe and there are many different varieties that you can switch to if you have an intolerance for any specific ingredients.
So which to take?
A skinny guy should use a mass gainer if they are trying to gain mass as fast as possible, and they are comfortable gaining some fat along with muscle. In a perfect world, someone who is trying to bulk would get all of their calories from whole foods, but for some skinny guys it’s very difficult to get enough calories from food alone as their metabolism is so fast.
A mass gainer would be the perfect addition to their diet, as they are able to get a lot of extra calories in one drink.
We would recommend choosing whey protein over a mass gainer if you are looking to add lean mass without gaining much overall bulk. A skinny guy using just whey protein would add muscle just as fast as someone using mass gainer, but gain mass at a slower rate.
Of course you can also take both whey protein and a mass gainer, or switch them around as you see fit. If one day you find you just aren’t going to be getting enough calories from your meals, you could add in a weight gainer shake to meet the day’s calorie requirements.
How to use a mass gainer for skinny guys?
A mass gainer can be mixed into either water or milk, with milk of course providing the most protein and calories. It is best used about 30 minutes after a strenuous workout to optimize muscle gain, but can be taken any time of the day.
It’s easiest to use a blender bottle to mix in the powder, or can be mixed with a spoon if you don’t have a blender bottle.
Conclusion
Overall, mass gainers and whey protein are similar products, with both providing protein and essential amino acids. Mass gainers also contain carbohydrates and fats to provide extra calories that skinny guys might mind useful when bulking up.
Choosing the right supplement can help you hit your fitness goals much more quickly and potentially save you some money testing supplements as well. After writing all this, I feel like it’s time for a workout! Happy gaining!
Hey! My name is Stephen and I’m the owner of Ultimate Core Health. Since we started, we’ve grown into a trusted resource for unbiased, science-based articles and reviews on fitness, nutrition and supplements. Check me out on social media, feel free to add me if you want to talk health!
